Lyceum-Batangas boosts UCBL cast

MANILA, Philippines - Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas has signed up for the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL), bringing to eight the number of teams vying in the second season of the league beginning Sept. 7 at the Olivarez Sports Center in Parañaque City.

Original member schools Centro Escolar University, Olivarez College, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Colegio de San Lorenzo, Diliman College, Bulacan State University and the University of Batangas will again banner the cast in the league put up to showcase the talents of different schools on a nationwide scale.

UCBL president Franklin Evidente said LPU’s entry underscored the league’s growing popularity following a successful inaugural last year won by CEU.

“We expect more fireworks this season as several schools went on aggressive recruitment of both local and foreign student-athletes,” said Evidente, who is being assisted by tournament director Horacio Lim, Bernard Yang and Melo Navarro.

Evidente said the games, held every Monday, Thursday and Saturday, will be shown on IBC 13 from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight.

“If you look at the situation, there are several hundreds of colleges and universities right now in Metro Manila alone. You look at the two successful leagues, they have a total of 18 (schools). Unfortunately, they are closed for memberships. What happens to the other hundred plus schools in Metro Manila alone,” said Evidente.
CEU beat Olivarez to nail the inaugural crown.

Evidente added that the three provincial teams are out to spring a few surprises in the double-round-robin eliminations to determine the Final Four semi-finalists.